It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

For Review: Puffin
Published: 5 May 2011

From Goodreads: Last year, all of Belly’s dreams came true and the thought of missing a summer in Cousins Beach was inconceivable. But like the rise and fall of the ocean tide, things can change-- just like that. Suddenly the time she's always looked forward to most is something she dreads. And when Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared, Belly must decide how she will spend this summer: chasing after the boy she loves, or finally letting him go.

I loved the The Summer I Turned Pretty when I read it last year and have been looking forward to reading this ever since.  And I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it.

I love Jenny Han's writing and the way she subtly incorporates flashbacks into the story.  It's through these we really get to know the characters.  This time we get the story from Belly and Jeremiah's point of view and that works fabulously.  I loved seeing Belly and Conrad from his point of view - and of course we get to know him better.

I love Belly.  Although she has grown and is more mature she is still the same Belly from the first book.  Again I loved Jeremiah - he's a character that is just really easy to like.  And I love his friendship with Belly and the way they always seem to know what the other is thinking.  Conrad on the other hand is just as complex as he was in the first book - but there is just something about him.  And I have to say that as much as I adore Jeremiah  it's Conrad's scenes that I look forward to.  And the scenes between him and Belly are heart-stoppingly good!

There is more to this than just the Belly-Jeremiah-Conrad dynamic though, and that's what makes it so enjoyable and real.  All the characters are dealing with the aftermath of Susannah's illness and do so in a very honest and believable way.  You really understand what the characters are feeling.

I can't wait to read We'll Always Have Summer.  This is fast becoming on of my favourite series - I love these characters and am truly excited to find out who Belly ends up with.  I know who I want it to be!